John Smit, who retired from international rugby as the most-capped Springbok of all time with 111 Test caps, led South Africa to victory at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, was at the helm as the Boks secured a series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and captained South Africa to Castle Tri-Nations titles in 2004 and 2009. As one of only three Springbok Test centurions (at the end of 2011), Smit also finished his career for South Africa as the most-capped international captain of all-time, leading the Boks onto the field a total of 83 times in 111 Tests. He also captained South Africa at U21 level and played in three Rugby World Cups before moving to Saracens in England.

Position: Prop (15) Hooker (96)
Provinces: KwaZulu-Natal (2000-2007, from 2009) Clermont-Auvergne (France, 2008), Saracens
Springbok number: 691
Test debut: 10 June 2000 vs Canada in East London, aged 22
Last test: 9 October 2011 vs Australia in Wellington, aged 33
Total tests: 111
Tour matches: 1
Total Springbok matches: 112
Win ratio: 69-40-2
Captain in 83 tests.
Honours : SA Rugby Young Player of the Year nominee (1999); Players' Player of the Year (2005); SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee (2009).
When he retired from Test rugby at the end of 2011, Smit held the record for the most-capped Springbok captain (83), which is also a world record, most-capped hooker (96) and most-capped Springbok (111).
Note: Stats correct on 9 October 2011.